F2PMeter: Is Tribal Wars 2 Truly Free to Play?

We’re taking a look at Tribal Wars 2, the free to play medieval strategy from InnoGames and putting it through its paces in our patent pending F2PMeter. Our F2P lab boffins have constructed this fool proof machine to determine just how free to play your favourite games actually are... by giving each game 100% F2P and removing points as we ask questions... genius!

Tribal Wars 2 is a base building MMO where you research techs, gather resources, train armies and then head out on a campaign of trade and diplomacy… with swords.

Does the game require an initial purchase?

'No'

Tribal Wars 2 can be accessed for free through the official website and simply requires signing up.

Does the game require any continued paid subscription?

'No'

The game has no subscription options.

Does the game require spending money on DLC packs or expansions?

'No'

The game has no expansions to purchase and all updates are provided for free.

Does the game support micro-transactions? Can anything be purchased in-game using real world money?

'Yes' takes away 5%

Concentrating on purchasing Crowns, the games premium currency, players are able to spend these on various perks and boosts in the game; whilst they can be earned through gameplay, typically this is reserved to occasional levelling up and for those players are already ranking highly in the game.

Do any of the micro-transactions give players an advantages?

'Yes' takes away 15%

There is an entire shop worth of perks and boosters to buy that only use Crowns currency, ranging from 7 day boosts to increase production to resource protection (stopping other players from getting all your hard earned goods) and more. Beyond general production, players can rush the time to construct buildings and purchase Officers to improve the army, direct Offensive and Defensive bonuses...

Is the user interface customization restricted to paid options?

'No'

There isn’t any customization.

Does the game give access to all available classes and/or races?

'Yes'

The game doesn’t have any classes and races.

Does the game require have limitations to how the 'Auction House' /Market/Trade system is accessed?

'No'

Players can buy and sell their wares through the Market system without any restrictions.

Are personal inventory and/or bank slots limited at all?

'Yes (but...)' takes away 5%

This depends on which side you stand; players do get inventory/storage space and you are able to buy a boost that gives you 50% extra for 7 days; the argument is whether the initial storage is restricted to encourage purchasing this boost, or whether the storage is fine and it is an added extra. Personally we don’t like inventory purchases/restrictions so we’re going to go with our initial assumption that the base inventory is restricted.

Are all dungeons and zones accessible without purchases?

'Yes'

Every area in the game is accessible and isn’t blocked by premium play.

Does the game restrict high endgame content (PVE, Raids or PvP)?

'No'

All endgame content and events can be participated in by free to play accounts.

Can the game be fully enjoyed without ever having to spend a ‘penny’?

'Yes (but...)' adds 5%

As ever it comes down to why you would want to play this kind of game, for most it is for the PVP aspect and competitive play, unfortunately the number of perks available through Crowns is too tempting for most and the majority of players that are leading a world are those that have spent real cash. If you want to play just to have fun, go for it, but it is unlikely you will be able to compete at a higher level and when players roll up on your doorstep looking to take everything from you and they have spent cash, it can leave a pretty sour “pay to win” flavour in your mouth.